Author: Ellie

When I was 28, I had a massive hip surgery. I’d never had a wisdom tooth pulled and was utterly terrified. The day of the procedure, I was dull and numb and the world moved in unreal slow motion. ⁣ Thankfully, Mom was there.⁣ There I was, a grown woman, clinging to my mother as …

It seems bleak right now, doesn’t it?⁣⁣ Schools closed.⁣⁣Events cancelled.⁣⁣States of emergency.⁣⁣ The news addiction is real, too. I’ve been on Facebook more in the last 24 hours than the last 24 days, watching reports—both official and anecdotal—roll in with increasing anxiety.⁣ It’s not the virus I’m concerned about. Yes, coronavirus is nasty. But people can …

Have you noticed how when you ask God to give you more of some good character trait that you almost immediately run out of it? There’s nothing quite like praying for patience to conjure a traffic jam, for example. Ever wonder why? Personally, I always assumed it’s because if we want a new skill, we …

What’s stopping you from achieving your dreams? What gets in the way as you step into your calling?⁣ It can be timing or money or training or logistics.⁣It can be lack of support or clarity or direction.⁣ But let’s be honest. Usually, it’s YOU.⁣ Or rather, the lies you believe about yourself.⁣ Through struggle and …

Last Sunday, I was that person sobbing in their car. I stopped at the light by my house and saw a young guy wearing a T-shirt and no coat in -4C air coming down the sidewalk. As he passed by, I noticed the white bracelet on his wrist and realized he’d just been discharged from …

There’s a lot made of reclaiming your power these days. And that’s well and good. We DO have intrinsic power, and we DO have a responsibility to own it and use it wisely. But power isn’t what makes you special. All God’s creatures have a measure of power. Even Satan! Just ask Job. What makes …

Ever wonder why whacking your head bleeds so much worse than, say, a papercut? (Although I’d argue the papercut hurts more. What IS that?) That’s because there are way more blood vessels in your head than your hand. Blood is a cleansing and protecting agent, and when you damage a vital spot, it bleeds more …

There’s this wild story in the Bible [Mark 2] where a paralyzed man is lowered through a roof in a jam-packed house. This guy’s buddies carry him up the back stairs, CUT A HOLE IN THE ROOF, and drop him onto Jesus who forgives his sins and heals his body. There are tons of great …

If I’ve ever driven you somewhere, we’ve gotten lost.⁣ Well. I wouldn’t say “lost.” Never, you know, lost-lost. More like took the scenic route. Had an adventure. A side-quest.⁣ I just get caught up talking! Roads and stop signs are so boring, and our connection is so interesting. I see that other stuff all the …

These are my actual jeans. Notice anything odd about them? (Hint: It’s the knees.) I acquired these pants at different times, and I’ve worn them in steady rotation over the last four years, but when I bought them, none of them had holes or weird dye jobs (a fashion plate, I’m not). I earned these …